Glory to God! We’ve now moved into our new trapeza and are finishing the kitchen setup. For our patronal feast we were happy to welcome 60 people and four priests, and were able to provide overnight accommodations to about half of them. So many generous people have come forward to help: with framing, plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning, communications, and so on. Without all this support we wouldn’t have come anywhere close. May your reward be great in heaven! 

 

My apologies to those who have waited a bit longer for your orders – thank you for your patience. As you can see, we've been busy!

 

Are we finished? Hardly. Did we run into difficulties? Glory to God—plenty! Enough to remind us that this work is indeed blessed. As monks say: if a project proceeds from start to finish without any trials or temptations, something is wrong.

 

There’s a story (I really have no idea as to the historical nature, but it demonstrates a principle) about an elder with his disciple on Mount Athos. They went to visit a few monks who had just finished building a chapel. As they were being shown around, their host joyfully told them, “We didn’t experience a single  problem (πειρασμός) throughout the entire construction period.” At this, the visiting elder abruptly said to his disciple that he remembered something back home that needed immediate attention, and they said a hasty goodbye. After they departed, the puzzled disciple said to his elder, “Forgive me, Geronda, but don’t you remember we already took care of that?” His elder responded, “Yes, I know. But did you hear what he said, “no problems?” If the troublemaker (the devil) isn’t stirring up trouble, something is off.”

 

The Fathers testify that trials are the harbinger of blessings. As Saint Paul says: "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; character; and ultimately, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

 

So rest assured – we have had our fair share of problems. But we’ve also had God’s help, your prayers, and an outpouring of support. With that, we press forward with The Great Cleanup. Our next goal is to have the new shop building functional before winter, so we can finally “disappear” the remaining dilapidated mobile homes. Then, in the spring, we can get started with landscaping, with the help from a couple of expert friends.

 

Please pray for us: that the Lord will give us strength and guidance to keep going!

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In Christ’s Abiding Love,

 

Father Menas, Superior

And all the Brotherhood​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​